HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-07 City Council Summary Minutes
Regular Meeting
January 7, 2002
1. Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor ........................... 229
2. Resolution Commending the Outstanding Public Service
of Sandy Eakins as Mayor and Council Member ................ 232
3. Resolution Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Lanie Wheeler as Mayor and Council Member ............... 232
4. Resolution Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Gary Fazzino as Mayor and Council Member ................ 233
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. to a reception. ................................................. 235
Mayor Ojakian reconvened the meeting at 9:50 p.m. ............... 235
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ............................................. 235
THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCEEDINGS, THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED TO A SPECIAL MEETING AT 9:52 P.M AS THE PALO ALTO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND RECONVENED AT 9:53 P.M. .................................... 236
COUNCIL COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS .................. 236
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. in
memory of Debbie Moore, Executive Assistant, Community Services Recreation, Open Space, and Sciences
Division, who passed away from complications due to pneumonia. She oversaw the City's Positive Alternatives for Youth Program, was also instrumental
in leading the City through the Community process of developing a Youth Master Plan, and was responsible
for managing the day to day operations of the Mitchell Park Community Center. ..................................... 236
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The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 7:05 p.m.
PRESENT: Beecham, Burch, Eakins, Fazzino, Kleinberg, Lytle, Mossar, Ojakian, Wheeler Mayor Sandy Eakins expressed enjoyment in working for the
City for the past ten years and wished the community the very best. She began her career in public service with the Public Art Commission. During her tenure, the group worked
with the support of the former City Manager, to provide leadership to advocate for improvements to the public
realm. She highlighted her accomplishments on the Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) Advisory Committee, the Planning Commission, shuttle service, traffic calming, and the City Council to include the adoption of the Comp Plan, the Emergency Response Plan due the experiences of the
devastating flood, the Stanford General Use Permit, the controversies of the South of Forest Area (SOFA), ground floor retail, and the appointment of three new Council Appointed Officers. As the Mayor of Palo Alto, she weathered the electric power crisis, brought the Secretary
of Energy to Palo Alto which brought about the Resolution for Path 15, and initiated the planting of olive grove
trees in Eleanor Pardee Park in remembrance of those who were affected by the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and as the symbol of peace. She wished the present
and incoming Council Members the best success for the coming year.
Children from the Children’s Theatre escorted the retiring Council Members to the “seats of honor” in the Council
Chambers and announced the new Council Members while escorting them and Judge Joseph Huber to the dais. SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE JOSEPH HUBER ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF
OFFICE TO EACH NEWLY-ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
PRESENT: Beecham, Burch, Freeman, Kishimoto,
Kleinberg, Lytle, Morton, Mossar, Ojakian
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
1. Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor
Council Member Kleinberg nominated Council Member Ojakian for the office of Mayor.
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Council Member Beecham requested to move Council Member Ojakian in as mayor by affirmation.
MOTION: Council Member Beecham moved, seconded by Morton
to elect Victor Ojakian as Mayor by affirmation. MOTION PASSED 8-0, Ojakian “abstaining.”
Council Member Kleinberg stated that Mayor Ojakian had been actively involved in community and public service for the
past 20 years. He coached youth sports leagues, served on many neighborhood school and city committees, such as the
boy scouts and the Addison Elementary School site council, and served on the Planning Commission from 1991-1997. He had been invaluable on the City Council’s standing committees, the Audit committee, and the Council Appointed Officers Ad Hoc committee. As a credentialed educator he
was a youth advocate and had previously chaired the City/School Liaison committee. He was instrumental in providing for the El Camino Real trees project. His skills, experience, and character were well matched to take the City forward, lead the City through the recession, and
ensure the City’s infrastructure plan was implemented thoroughly. Mayor Ojakian had the qualities of leadership
to steer Palo Alto through 2002 with a calm hand, an even temper, a fair demeanor, and a focused outlook.
Council Member Burch nominated Council Member Mossar for the office of Vice Mayor.
Council Member Freeman nominated Council Member Beecham for the office of Vice Mayor. Her nomination was based upon his
community involvement, his council representation, and his prudent meeting management skills.
Council Member Morton endorsed Council Member Beecham for the office of Vice Mayor. Council Member Lytle supported Council Member Mossar for
the office of Vice Mayor in view of her leadership skills and her ability to pull the Council together as a team.
Council Member Burch said a vote for one candidate was not a vote against the other because both council members were
excellent candidates. He endorsed Council Member Mossar for the office of Vice Mayor because he had previously served with her on the Policy and Services (P&S) committee and
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observed her in action on the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority.
Council Member Kishimoto concurred that both council members were fully qualified to serve as Vice Mayor. She qualified that her vote for Vice Mayor that evening was not an automatic vote for Mayor the subsequent year. She
supported Council Member Beecham for the office of Vice Mayor because of his decision-making skills and respectful debate technique.
Council Member Kleinberg supported Council Member Mossar
for the office of Vice Mayor because her skills, personality, and leadership style presented more of a balance for Mayor Ojakian. Mayor Ojakian supported Council Member Mossar for the
office of Vice Mayor because she would compliment his strengths with her own different strengths. He praised Council Member Beecham for his dedication and leadership on the utility situation when deregulation became an issue.
Council Member Beecham thanked his colleagues who supported him and asked them to join him in a motion to elect Council
Member Mossar as Vice Mayor by affirmation. MOTION: Council Member Beecham moved, seconded by Burch, to
elect Dena Mossar as Vice Mayor by affirmation. MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar “abstaining.” Mayor Ojakian expressed appreciation to his colleagues for
the honor of being selected Mayor, his campaign committee for their hard work, and his family for their presence and
support. Although the make-up of the Council has changed, the issues that affected Palo Alto had not. A priority setting meeting was scheduled for February 11, 2002, to address issues such as flood prevention, energy, affordable housing, the zoning ordinance update, traffic calming, and
the Bicycle Master Plan. His concentration would focus on teamwork, creating a cohesive Council, and meeting with the council members on an individual basis. Another area of
interest was communications. His intent was to focus the Council on communicating with the public through the State
of the City Address, through annual sessions with each of the Boards and Commissions, and by holding “Meet the Mayor” meetings. His deepest interest was in the area of community
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services. Palo Alto had an outstanding reputation regarding the types of services it offered to the community; however,
its facilities and play fields were not adequate for the amount of usage that was needed by the residents. He had already done preliminary work on issues that would be brought forth in the coming year with partnerships through public/private agencies. He looked forward to working with
his colleagues, the City staff, and the residents of Palo Alto.
Vice Mayor Mossar expressed thanks to her colleagues for their support. She was delighted to have the opportunity to
work side by side with Mayor Ojakian. 2. Resolution Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Sandy Eakins as Mayor and Council Member” MOTION: Council Member Mossar moved, seconded by Burch, to adopt the Resolution. Resolution 8118 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Commending the Outstanding
Public Service of Sandy Eakins as Mayor and Council Member”
Council Member Beecham read the Resolution into the record and the plaque from the City to Mayor Sandy Eakins.
Mayor Ojakian said Mayor Eakins was presented with gifts of
appreciation at the Council meeting of December 17, 2001. Council Member Lytle presented Mayor Eakins with an Oaxacan
wooden hen. She had been a quiet achiever for the City, and it was good to hear her self-promotion speech.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
3. Resolution Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Lanie Wheeler as Mayor and Council Member”
Vice Mayor Mossar read the Resolution into the record and presented a plaque from the City to Council Member Lanie
Wheeler. MOTION: Council Member Beecham moved, seconded by Morton, to adopt the Resolution.
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Resolution 8119 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Commending the Outstanding
Public Service of Lanie Wheeler as Mayor and Council Member” Council Member Burch thanked former Council Member Wheeler for her service, experience, and knowledge while she was on
the Council. Her labor of love was greatly appreciated. Council Member Lytle presented former Council Member
Wheeler with a stone of gratitude and a journal. MOTION PASSED 9-0. Former Council Member Wheeler thanked her colleagues from the 2001 City Council for the opportunity to return, to serve the community. When she applied for the vacant
position she had three main objectives. The first was to get off to a fast start, and indeed the subject matter that
arrived in the Council packets were familiar ones. The second objective involved commitment to the Council to work toward the five priorities that were adopted shortly before
her appointment. Progress was made on those priority areas that included completion of work on the funding gap for the
maintenance and repair of the City’s infrastructure, and landmark agreements with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) that benefited all constituents. Her third
objective, of not running for another term, left an open playing field for the fall election and produced one of the
largest and diverse field of candidates Palo Alto had ever seen. She hoped that the new City Council and the citizens of Palo Alto would focus on getting crucial areas
completed, such as updating the zoning ordinance, preserving and enhancing the opportunity for all persons to
live in the community, and passing the tax measure to implement the new library plan. It was more important than ever for the Council and the community to come together to confront and resolve the issues that would affect the present and the future of Palo Alto.
4. Resolution Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Gary Fazzino as Mayor and Council Member”
MOTION: Council Member Kleinberg moved, seconded by
Beecham, to adopt the Resolution.
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Resolution 8120 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Commending the Outstanding
Public Service of Gary Fazzino as Mayor and Council Member” Mayor Ojakian read the Resolution into the record and presented a plaque from the City to former Council Member
Gary Fazzino. He had known former Council Member Fazzino since 1978 and commended him on his contributions to the community over the years, wished him well on his recent
marriage, and stated he was honored to have served with him on the Council.
Council Member Burch introduced former Council Member Fazzino’s wife, Annette Fazzino, and welcomed her to the meeting that evening.
Council Member Lytle expressed appreciation for the honor of serving with Council Member Fazzino for the past ten
years. He was her mentor and wisdom counselor. MOTION PASSED 9-0.
Council Member Kleinberg said Council Member Fazzino was
one of the first persons she met when she moved to Palo Alto and as the years went on, he encouraged her to run for Council. He had always been a tremendous mentor, a great
listener, an enthusiastic supporter, but never too far away to be available to talk things over and to be encouraging.
Former Council Member Fazzino congratulated Mayor Ojakian, Vice Mayor Mossar, and the newly elected Council on the
appointments. He commended the fine leadership that was to take place in the coming year. That evening was a
historical occasion because the City Council had its first African-American female, first Asian-American female in over 100 years, and it was the first time since 1909 that there were three bearded members on the City Council. He thanked his colleagues, present and past, the City staff,
his stalwart supporters, and his family. He also thanked the citizens of Palo Alto for their support and the degree to which they cared about the community.
Anne Ream, representative from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s
Office, thanked former Mayor Eakins, and former Council Members Wheeler and Fazzino for their service to the
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community and presented them with resolutions of appreciation.
Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss acknowledged the extraordinary public service of former Council Members Wheeler and Fazzino with whom she worked approximately eleven years. She presented them with resolutions. She
looked forward to the accomplishments of the new Council in the coming year.
Angelique Brauer, representative from State Senator Byron Sher’s Office, said Senator Sher sent his best wishes to
the new City Council, and expressed thanks and appreciation to the outgoing Council Members. Michelle Lew, representative from State Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s Office, expressed appreciation to former Mayor
Eakins, and former Council Members Wheeler and Fazzino for their outstanding service. She presented them with resolutions. Mayor Ojakian recognized the dignitaries in the audience.
Mayor Steve Schmidt, Menlo Park, offered encouragement to
the new City Council. Los Altos Council Member John Moss, thanked the retiring
City Council Members for whom Los Altos had worked with for many years, and welcomed the new City Council. He thanked
former Council Member Fazzino for encouraging him to become a council member.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. to a reception. Mayor Ojakian reconvened the meeting at 9:50 p.m. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Sylvia Smitham, 2514 Birch Street, thanked the previous City Council and asked the new City Council to deal with the issue of affordable housing.
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THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCEEDINGS, THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED TO A SPECIAL MEETING AT 9:52 P.M AS THE PALO ALTO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND RECONVENED AT 9:53 P.M.
COUNCIL COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Kleinberg requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of City of Palo Alto employee, Debbie Moore.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. in memory of Debbie Moore, Executive Assistant, Community Services Recreation, Open Space, and Sciences Division, who
passed away from complications due to pneumonia. She oversaw the City's Positive Alternatives for Youth Program, was also instrumental in leading the City through the Community process of developing a Youth Master Plan, and was responsible for managing the day to day operations of
the Mitchell Park Community Center.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor NOTE: Sense minutes (synopsis) are prepared in accordance
with Palo Alto Municipal Code Sections 2.04.180(a) and (b). The City Council and Standing Committee meeting tapes are made solely for the purpose of facilitating the preparation
of the minutes of the meetings. City Council and Standing Committee meeting tapes are recycled 90 days from the date
of the meeting. The tapes are available for members of the public to listen to during regular office hours.
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